Niklas Backstrom will make his first start of the season Sunday against the Kings, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Backstrom will make his first start of the season Sunday against the Kings, Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Analysis:

What was thought to be a timeshare in goal between Backstrom and Darcy Kuemper to start the season has quickly devolved into a one-sided competition, as the red-hot Kuemper has been in the net for the Wild's first three turns. It's hard to argue with coach Mike Yeo for riding the young goaltender, who set a franchise record with a 163-minute shutout streak to open the season. Backstrom will spell Kuemper on Sunday, but even with a decent performance against the Kings, he seems unlikely to usurp Kuemper as Yeo's preferred option in goal.